Who does not know this island? Famous for its full moon parties, Koh Phangan is almost known worldwide for it. But there is more to the island than just the Full Moon parties and after parties.
As party going goes, there are the monthly Full Moon, Half Moon and Black Moon parties on and around Haad Rin beach, as well as the Jungle party and pool party organised on the island. If you are specifically heading down to Koh Phangan for the parties, then I suggest you stay within the vicinity of Haad Rin as the parties are centred around here.
As party going goes, there are the monthly Full Moon, Half Moon and Black Moon parties on and around Haad Rin beach, as well as the Jungle party and pool party organised on the island. If you are specifically heading down to Koh Phangan for the parties, then I suggest you stay within the vicinity of Haad Rin as the parties are centred around here.
Koh Phangan is set within the Gulf of Thailand and is accessible by ferry from the mainland (Surat Thani), Koh Tao and Koh Samui. Koh Phangan is larger than Koh Tao and is easy to get around on scooters. The atmosphere is relatively chilled out except for Haad Rin Beach where all the parties take place.
The guys and I have been to Koh Phangan before so it's not all too new for us. But 8 nights on the island was a bit too much. As it drew closer to Christmas and New Years, most accommodations on the island have a minimum number of days you have to stay. Plus the accommodations get snatched up like hot cakes months before Christmas and New Years so it is best to book in advance if you plan to head there around this time of year.
Must admit the weather isn't great as it's the monsoon season, it is windy and also rains occasionally. But for those coming here from a cold country to get away from winter, the weather is perfect. Not too hot or cold, it's cool and just perfect.
Must admit the weather isn't great as it's the monsoon season, it is windy and also rains occasionally. But for those coming here from a cold country to get away from winter, the weather is perfect. Not too hot or cold, it's cool and just perfect.
Paradise waterfall.
Koh Phangan is filled with beautiful beaches and waterfalls. One such beautiful beach is Haad Yuan, which is just 10 minutes away on a long tail boat or you can hike over to the beach. It takes about 2 hours to get there by foot, since the track is hardly used; it's not a clear path to follow either. This site gives you the essential information needed to know on how to hike over to Haad Yuan. It has a chilled out atmosphere compared to the busy Haad Rin beach.
We stayed down at Peach Guest house, which is literally a 10-minute walk from the main beach. It's close to all amenities and the noise pollution is almost at a minimum on this end compared to staying on the main stretch. So to get around we hired scooters as it works out to be cheaper than getting a taxi.
There is only one main road that gets you around the island, so even if you make a wrong turn, you'll end up where you were before. As we headed up north, I remember stopping by a Chinese temple along the way. It's not much of a view from here but the temple is worth a visit, especially if you haven't been to a Chinese temple before. Not far from here is Paradise Falls.
We stayed down at Peach Guest house, which is literally a 10-minute walk from the main beach. It's close to all amenities and the noise pollution is almost at a minimum on this end compared to staying on the main stretch. So to get around we hired scooters as it works out to be cheaper than getting a taxi.
There is only one main road that gets you around the island, so even if you make a wrong turn, you'll end up where you were before. As we headed up north, I remember stopping by a Chinese temple along the way. It's not much of a view from here but the temple is worth a visit, especially if you haven't been to a Chinese temple before. Not far from here is Paradise Falls.
 Wangsi waterfalls. | Paradise Falls is close to the Phangan Safari and Elephant trekking. There is a sign but it's easy to miss if you're going fast (so we missed it the first time). Shaded by trees the waterfall has a swim pool at its basin and a few swing ropes. This time around, the water in the basin was clear (since it was the monsoon season) and cool. If you like, there is a path heading further up the waterfall for a better view of the surrounding areas, and if you want to get to the top, you'll have to climb the rocks by the waterfall to get to the top. Do be careful as it's pretty slippery this time of year and a bit dangerous, especially climbing up the rocks with wrong foot wear. The other waterfall that we went to is the Wangsi Waterfalls. You would have to go through a resort estate and walk to the falls. The is a shallow pool at the basin of the waterfall and if you climb further up, there is about 3 more basins you can swim in. It’s beautiful. |
The beaches on the other hand are a different story. As I mentioned before, Haad Rin is the busiest beach on the island. The others are more relaxed and quiet. Although parts of the Haad Rin beach is beautiful during the day and rather quiet too.
Ao Chalokum is a fairly large beach on the northern tip, where dive schools are more prominent. There is the Ang Thong Marine Park not far from Koh Phangan, which offers wonderful marine life for snorkelers and scuba divers alike.
Ao Chalokum is a fairly large beach on the northern tip, where dive schools are more prominent. There is the Ang Thong Marine Park not far from Koh Phangan, which offers wonderful marine life for snorkelers and scuba divers alike.
The far end of Haad Rin Beach.
Ao Haad Khuat or Bottle Beach is about an hours hike from Ao Chalokum (or you can take a boat out to get there). Koh Ma is an island just off Mae Haad. You can walk across the sea to the island and its great for snorkelling. The beach is clean, quiet and just serene. If anything its really chilled out in the north.
Haad Salad is equally beautiful and laced with high-end resorts. What I observed is that it's mainly flocked by family holidaymakers if not couples.
Its safe to say that all the other beaches around the island are quiet and peaceful. The ambience from one beach to the other changes. It's not something I can put to words, rather you would have to experience it to understand.
Haad Salad is equally beautiful and laced with high-end resorts. What I observed is that it's mainly flocked by family holidaymakers if not couples.
Its safe to say that all the other beaches around the island are quiet and peaceful. The ambience from one beach to the other changes. It's not something I can put to words, rather you would have to experience it to understand.
Sunset over Power Beach Resort.
New Year’s Eve… glow in the dark paints and buckets (basically it's your cocktail for the night in buckets rather than glasses), we were set for the party. The entire beach was prepped up for the event with stages set on the beach, pop-up bars and fireworks. I’m guessing almost the same amount of effort is put into the Full Moon parties.
Most people will take the main street to get to the beach (the street that leads you to Cactus Bar). Do be warned as I met unsuspecting tourist being charged to get to the beach! You do not have to pay to get to the beach!! It’s a scam! At the cross section on the main street, take either a left or right turn. There are many lanes that lead to the beach, take that and you won’t have to pay anything.
The beach was packed by 10pm. At least 30,000 people were there that night and from all walks of life. The youngest I've seen at the party was a 5-year-old with his parents! Talk about starting young, eh? Those who live up in Koh Samui took the ferry across to party on Haad Rin, so you can imagine the crowd that night. It was manic but so much fun.
Most people will take the main street to get to the beach (the street that leads you to Cactus Bar). Do be warned as I met unsuspecting tourist being charged to get to the beach! You do not have to pay to get to the beach!! It’s a scam! At the cross section on the main street, take either a left or right turn. There are many lanes that lead to the beach, take that and you won’t have to pay anything.
The beach was packed by 10pm. At least 30,000 people were there that night and from all walks of life. The youngest I've seen at the party was a 5-year-old with his parents! Talk about starting young, eh? Those who live up in Koh Samui took the ferry across to party on Haad Rin, so you can imagine the crowd that night. It was manic but so much fun.
Party!
There are a lot of bars on the beachfront with the speakers blaring so its almost like club hopping on the beach. If you don’t dig the music in one, move on to the next! Some even have little games you cake take part in like fire limbo, skipping rope on fire and slides to name a few.
Be prepared to loose your friends as I lost mine after midnight, but I ended up making new friends and carrying on the night till sun up.
The party carries on till dusk the next day at the after party for those who can carry on. Have to admit, think I sort of felt my age here as I could last to get to the after party. The bed was too tempting.
But all in all be prepared to see the ugly side of the beach at sunrise with beached whales (drunk passed out party goers) and trash all over the beach. The bottles and buckets are collected but the straws and confetti are left behind.
Be prepared to loose your friends as I lost mine after midnight, but I ended up making new friends and carrying on the night till sun up.
The party carries on till dusk the next day at the after party for those who can carry on. Have to admit, think I sort of felt my age here as I could last to get to the after party. The bed was too tempting.
But all in all be prepared to see the ugly side of the beach at sunrise with beached whales (drunk passed out party goers) and trash all over the beach. The bottles and buckets are collected but the straws and confetti are left behind.
Fire limbo!
My idea of chilling out on the beach dried up as soon as I saw the state it was in and decided to take a walk around Haad Rin town. There are so many little side streets that I haven’t seen and I’m glad I did. I found a wonder piece of heaven just off the main street called Kawee café. Run by a group of Frenchmen, the café has wonderful ambience, chilled, relaxing and great coffee. They have a bookstore attached to it as well for those who would like to sell their books or purchase one. I spent hours in this café and I have to say I love this place. You won’t even know that you are in Koh Phangan at all!
A few doors down this street, you'll get local eateries that serve really good Thai dishes for cheap. It's better than all the main restaurants and eateries in the area.
A few doors down this street, you'll get local eateries that serve really good Thai dishes for cheap. It's better than all the main restaurants and eateries in the area.
Kawee Café is really chilled out and its right in the middle of Haad Rin!
Koh Phangan is truly a party island. For those who are looking to get there just enjoy the parties, then 3-4 days is more than enough. Anymore than that, and you will never want to go there again!
The essentials to know:
Other than that, Koh Phangan is definitely a party island! Do take the time to explore the island as it has more than meets the eye.
The essentials to know:
- Scooter rental: 150B - 200B for a period of 24 hours. Do check the bikes before you hire them out.
- Buckets: The standard alcohol buckets should be around 150B – 200B. Haggle if its more than that. Drinks being spike is not unheard of so watch yourself and your drink.
- Have travel insurance as it might come in need. There is a clinic close to Haad Rin for those seeking immediate attention. The main hospital is somewhere in Tongsala town.
- Although ‘Magic Mushrooms’ are illegal they are sold around the island. But if you are caught, be prepared to face the music.
Other than that, Koh Phangan is definitely a party island! Do take the time to explore the island as it has more than meets the eye.
To these two… Thank's for keeping me company when I lost my friends!
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